Bubba Wallace, Cindric Win Duels Filled With Wrecks And Controversy

Bubba Wallace gets his first duel win, and Austin Cindric wins the second duel in a controversial ending dictated by the time of caution. Justin Allgaier and J.R. Motorsports raced their way to the first open spot, and Corey LaJoie and Rick Ware earned the second.

Wallace and Cindric Win Duels, Filled with Wrecks and Ending in Controversy

With the Duels at Daytona complete, the lineup for the 67th running of the Daytona 500 is set. Bubba Wallace and Erik Jones will start behind the polesitter of Chase Briscoe, the first pole award ever for Toyota in the 500, and 2022 winner Austin Cindric.

Bubba Wallace wins Duel 1, Allgaier and JRM will race in the Daytona 500

Super Speedway ace Bubba Wallace gets his first duel win. With a little help from his 23XI teammate Tyler Reddick, Wallace outran 2024 Daytona 500 winner William Byron and Kaulig Racing’s newest driver, Ty Dillon. Wallace led 20 laps en route to victory.

Wallace, in his front-stretch interview, said he was excited to get a duel win, “all my friends have them, now I got one”.

He got his first Duel win.

Time to chase the big prize on Sunday. 👀 pic.twitter.com/0YzYKbT4ND

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 14, 2025

Junior Motorsports will race in their first Cup Series race, the Daytona 500. Justin Allgaier finished ninth in the first duel, finishing as the highest open car in the race. Allgaier and the #40 Chevy will start 19th on Sunday.

The emotions from the JR Motorsports family and Allgaier were present on pit road. But it was all overshadowed by the joy from Dale Earnhardt Jr and his excitement.

They’re in! Justin Allgaier and @DaleJr talk with Jamie Little. pic.twitter.com/abpF2Y1GGH

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 14, 2025

Chandler Smith Wrecks in Duel 1, Collects Castroneves Who Will Take Provisional

With what looked like a bad block or spotter miscommunication, but was definitely ‘one of those racing deals’. Chandler Smith, driving the #66 Ford for Garage 66, came down on the #7 Chevy of Justin Haley on lap 14, sending Smith into the turn two SAFER barrier. Castroneves, an innocent bystander, was collected, damaging the rear suspension and ending his run. Helio would have a huge hit on the flat pavement before he parked it in the grass.

Trouble in Turn 2! @CSmith_Racing and @h3lio are involved! pic.twitter.com/HUx0rXi6yn

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 14, 2025

Helio Castroneves is eligible to use the new Open Exemption Provisional. Created to give outside motorsports talent to compete in NASCAR, it will create a 41st starting position for said driver. Not without controversy this week with this many drivers fighting for the four open spots. Castroneves will have to run a backup car and start 41st in Sunday’s Daytona 500.

Erik Jones, NOPE, it’s Austin Cindric who wins Duel 2:

The star of the second duel was Legacy Motor Club. Jimmie Johnson was up front for a good amount of the race until he had to pit solo for fuel. Erik Jones made his way to the front, racing around the Team Penske and RFK Fords. With twelve to go, a brake check by Daniel Suarez and a big shove from Bowman sent the #99 Chevy into the #6 of Brad Keselowski. The trio would be sent spinning into the back stretch infield.

With the race restarted and winding down, the field got increasingly aggressive. On the last lap, with assistance from Chris Buescher, the pair got alongside Cindric and Logano. The pair would be neck and neck when a wreck in the back would trigger the caution from NASCAR.

After long deliberation from race control, and with Erik Jones parked under the flag stand and Austin Cindric on pit road, Cindric was declared the winner.

Not so fast. Austin Cindric wins Duel No. 2 at Daytona! pic.twitter.com/kwaWtNW0Vn

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 14, 2025

READ MORE: Chase Briscoe Earns Toyota First Daytona 500 Pole & Duel Race Preview

Corey LaJoie survives the carnage and will race on Sunday

In a solid showing by Rick Ware Racing and their part-time driver Corey LaJoie, his finishing position of sixth will allow him to start 12th in the Daytona 500. A huge accomplishment and a big feather in LaJoie’s cap.

Corey LaJoie on his podcast said he put his own money into securing the Rick Ware entry before a sponsor came on board. He felt it would all work out, then the sponsor happened and it did. And now he’s in the race.

— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) February 14, 2025

With the wreck at the end, several teams will have to go to a backup car for the race on Sunday. They include Kyle Larson, Riley Herbst, Shane Van Gisbergen, Daniel Suarez, Justin Haley, and Ty Gibbs. Brad Keselowski’s team is still deciding whether to fix or go to a back up. Castroneves, Cody Ware, Zane Smith, Cole Custer, and Ricky Stenhouse will repair their cars. They will have two additional practices before Sunday’s race.

Duel at Daytona carnage. #HotPass pic.twitter.com/QjgMW7ASiH

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 14, 2025

Starting Line Up For The 2025 Daytona 500:

Featured Image Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

READ NEXT: Fight to Make Daytona 500 Toughest in Years